The river from the water
The Ekta Cruise is a popular boating experience at Kevadia, taking visitors out onto the calm waters of the Narmada near the Sardar Sarovar Dam. Gliding across the reservoir ringed by the wooded Satpura hills, the cruise offers fine views of the dam, the river and the towering Statue of Unity from the water — a different and scenic perspective on the region’s landmarks.
A relaxed, breezy add-on to a Kevadia visit, it is especially pleasant in the cooler hours of the day. A gentle, scenic complement to the big sights.
(A boat cruise; ticketed; subject to water levels and weather. )
Still water behind a very large dam
Reservoir & hills.
The Sardar Sarovar Dam holds back a long reservoir on the Narmada, and the cruise runs on that flat water rather than on the river proper.
Boats leave from the Kevadia side and take a circuit out onto the reservoir, typically running under an hour.
The route gives the dam wall, the reservoir and the Statue of Unity in a single arc, which no viewpoint on land manages.
Seen from the water the statue reads at its true scale, with the Satpura hills behind it for comparison.
Reasons to make the time
River cruise
The cruise runs on the reservoir behind the dam, where the water is flat and wide all year.
Statue views
The dam wall is best appreciated from the water, where its full width is visible at once.
The dam
The Statue of Unity from the reservoir is the shot most people come for, with nothing in the frame to reduce its scale.
Satpura hills
Wooded Satpura hills ring the water on both sides, and the reservoir reflects them on calm mornings.
Breezy & calm
It is an easy, breezy break between the more demanding parts of a Kevadia day.
New angle
Tickets are sold separately from the statue entry, and sailings depend on water level and weather.
What to look for inside
On the water
A short boat circuit on the reservoir, leaving from the Kevadia jetty.
Statue & dam
The Statue of Unity and the dam seen together from the water.
How to spend an hour or two
Take the cruise
Take the cruise out onto the reservoir, the only way to see the dam and statue in one view.
See the statue
Shoot the statue from the water, where nothing in the frame diminishes its height.
View the dam
Sit on the open deck if there is one; the breeze off the water is the best relief of a Kevadia afternoon.
Enjoy the hills
Watch the Satpura hills close in on both sides as the boat moves up the reservoir.
Feel the breeze
Go late in the afternoon, when the light is low and the heat has dropped.
Go in cooler hours
Check sailings on the day — they depend on water level and weather, and can be suspended without notice.
A cruise on the Narmada
The Ekta Cruise takes visitors onto the Narmada reservoir near the Sardar Sarovar Dam, offering scenic views of the dam, the river and the Statue of Unity from the water, ringed by the wooded Satpura hills. A relaxed, breezy add-on to a Kevadia visit. (Subject to weather. )
This is one of many places worth seeing here — the full guide to Narmada has the rest.
A boat cruise on the Narmada
Views of the statue & dam
Ringed by Satpura hills
A relaxed Kevadia add-on
When to go
Cool and pleasant — the ideal season.
Lush, green and full waterfalls.
Hot — start early.
⏰ Visit in the cooler months; combine it with the Statue of Unity and the Kevadia attractions.
Timings & entry
- Part of the Kevadia complex
- Often closed Mondays
- Pair with the statue
- Allow time to travel
- A cruise ticket
- Subject to water/weather
- Best in cooler hours
- Book at Kevadia
Getting there
By Air
Vadodara airport (~90 km).
By Rail
Ekta Nagar (Kevadia) station.
By Road
Kevadia / Rajpipla.
At Ekta Cruise
WATER & VIEW
The Narmada from the water
What to shoot
The cruise & river.
Detail
Statue from water.
Setting
Satpura hills.
Best light
Late afternoon.
Know before you go
More to see close by
FORESTNinai Waterfall
A tiered fall deep in tribal forest
GARDENSCactus & Butterfly Gardens
Themed gardens around Ekta Nagar
DAMSardar Sarovar Dam
A colossal dam across the Narmada river
Narmada Ghats
A revered Dattatreya temple on the Narmada
Karnali — Kuber Bhandari
An ancient Shiva temple by the river
RIVERGarudeshwar Weir
Calm Narmada backwaters & a Dattatreya shrine
Where to eat near Ekta Cruise
Gujarati Thali
Full sweet-savoury meals.
Dhokla & farsan
Steamed snacks.
Kevadia food courts
Snacks for visitors.
Local fare
Gujarati & tribal food; Kevadia food courts.
Ekta Cruise FAQ
What is Ekta Cruise?
The Ekta Cruise is a popular boating experience at Kevadia, taking visitors out onto the calm waters of the Narmada near the Sardar Sarovar Dam. Gliding across the reservoir ringed by the wooded Satpura hills, the cruise offers fine views of the dam, the river and the towering Statue of Unity from the water — a different and scenic perspective on the region's landmarks.
Where is it?
Kevadia, Narmada district.
Is there an entry fee?
Entry by ticket.
When should I visit?
October to March.
What's nearby?
The Statue of Unity, Sardar Sarovar Dam and Kevadia.
How long does it take?
About an hour.
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Published 24 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026